Kamil Perry
The French take on the classic grilled cheese sandwich is known as a croque-monsieur. This mouth-watering dish is a staple in French bistros and cafes and is made with ham, melted cheese, Dijon mustard, and creamy bechamel sauce. The name croque-monsieur loosely translates to mister crunch, referring to the crisp texture of the sandwich when baked or fried. While the classic grilled cheese is a simple dish, the French version elevates it to a whole new level of indulgence and delight.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Croque Monsieur |
| Translation | Mister Crunch |
| Ingredients | Ham, cheese, Dijon mustard, béchamel sauce |
| Bread | Brioche or sourdough |
| Cheese | Gruyere, Parmesan |
| Served with | Fries, salad |
| Variations | Croque Madame (with a fried egg), Croque Mademoiselle (vegan) |
| Alternative name | Crispy Mister |
| Preparation | Pan-fried, baked, grilled |
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What You'll Learn
A French grilled cheese is called a Croque Monsieur
The French certainly know how to take a humble sandwich to the next level! While a regular grilled cheese sandwich is made with bread, cheese, and a little butter, the French add ham, Dijon mustard, bechamel sauce, and fancy Gruyere cheese. The result is a delicious, indulgent, and comforting meal.
To make a Croque Monsieur, start by warming milk in a saucepan over medium-low heat. In a separate pan, melt butter and add flour, stirring to create a paste. Add the hot milk to this mixture, whisking as you do so. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper, to taste. Continue stirring the bechamel sauce over low heat until it thickens.
Toast your bread slices and spread mustard over half of them. Add ham slices and Gruyere cheese, topping with the other bread slices. Place the sandwiches on a baking sheet in the oven until the cheese begins to melt and bubble. Transfer to the top rack for a short time, keeping a close eye on them, and remove when the cheese starts to turn golden.
Finally, spread the bechamel sauce over the tops of the sandwiches and sprinkle with more Gruyere cheese. Broil until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned. Serve immediately while it's hot and oozy!
For a traditional French bistro experience, serve your Croque Monsieur with a side of fries and a leafy green salad. Bon appetit!
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It's made with ham, mustard, and cheese
The French grilled cheese sandwich, also known as the croque-monsieur, is a hot ham and cheese sandwich. It is a staple at French bistros and cafes and is usually served with a side of fries and a salad. The name croque-monsieur loosely translates to "mister crunch", a reference to the crisp texture of the sandwich.
To make a croque-monsieur, you will need butter, flour, milk, salt, pepper, Dijon mustard, ham, and lots of cheese. The French traditionally use a brioche-type bread, but any white bread with medium to thick slices will work. Gruyere is the cheese of choice for an authentic croque-monsieur, but you can use any good, melty cheese.
Start by warming the milk in a saucepan over medium-low heat. In a separate pan, melt the butter and add the flour, stirring to create a paste. Add the hot milk to this mixture, whisking as you pour. Season with salt and pepper, and continue to stir until the mixture thickens into a bechamel sauce. Toast your bread slices and spread mustard on them. Add the ham and cheese, and close the sandwich.
Next, pan-fry the sandwich in a skillet with melted butter. Place the seared sandwich on a baking tray and spread the bechamel sauce on top. Sprinkle with more cheese, then bake in the oven for about 15 minutes. Finally, switch to the grill setting for a few minutes to get a golden, bubbly top. Serve immediately while it's hot and oozy!
For an extra indulgent touch, top your croque-monsieur with a fried egg, and it becomes a croque-madame.
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It's cooked in a skillet or frying pan
The French grilled cheese sandwich, also known as the croque monsieur, is cooked in a skillet or frying pan. It is a hot ham and cheese sandwich, done the French way. The name croque monsieur loosely translates to "mister crunch", a play on the crisp nature of the sandwich as it is baked or fried to a crisp.
To make the croque monsieur, melt butter in a skillet over medium to medium-high heat. You can use any good, melty cheese, but Gruyere is a popular choice. Top two slices of bread with cheese, folding as needed, and then add ham slices and another slice of bread to close the sandwiches. Place the sandwiches in the skillet and cook for 2 minutes, pressing down lightly with a spatula until they are a deep golden brown. Turn the sandwiches over and cook the other side until golden brown.
Transfer the sandwiches to a baking tray. Top with béchamel sauce and sprinkle with more cheese. Bake for 15 minutes, then switch to the grill setting for 3 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbling. Serve immediately while it's hot and oozy. For a traditional French bistro experience, add a side of fries and leafy greens with a vinaigrette dressing.
The French grilled cheese sandwich can also be made in a unique way by dunking it into a mixture of egg, milk, tomato soup, and seasonings before cooking it in a skillet. This method creates a crispy yet moist sandwich with a strong tomato soup flavour.
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It's served at bistros and cafes
The French grilled cheese sandwich, also known as a croque-monsieur, is a staple at bistros and cafes. The name croque-monsieur loosely translates to "mister crunch", likely referring to the crisp texture of the sandwich when baked or fried. It is a classic French sandwich made with ham, melted cheese, Dijon mustard, and creamy bechamel sauce.
The traditional croque-monsieur is prepared by spreading Dijon mustard on toasted bread slices, adding ham, and topping it with grated Gruyere cheese. The sandwich is then baked until the cheese begins to melt and bubble, achieving a golden brown colour. It is then topped with a generous layer of bechamel sauce and more Gruyere cheese, creating a creamy and indulgent dish.
To elevate the flavour of the bechamel sauce, chefs often infuse the milk with a small wedge of onion, a pinch of ground cloves, and a bay leaf. This enhanced bechamel sauce is then spread on the top slice of bread, adding a rich and savoury element to the sandwich. The croque-monsieur is typically served with a side of fries and a light salad or vinaigrette, making it a casual yet indulgent lunchtime offering.
While the classic croque-monsieur is a beloved favourite, there are variations to suit different tastes and dietary preferences. For those who enjoy a runny yolk, the croque-madame is a delightful option, featuring a fried egg on top of the sandwich. There are also vegan croque-monsieur variations, showcasing the versatility and inclusivity of this French classic.
The croque-monsieur is a testament to French culinary ingenuity, elevating the simple grilled cheese sandwich to a new level of flavour and texture. It is a dish that invites you to indulge and delight in the combination of crispy bread, oozing cheese, and savoury toppings. Whether enjoyed at a quaint bistro or a charming cafe, the croque-monsieur is an iconic French treat that never fails to satisfy.
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It's also known as Crispy Mister
A French grilled cheese sandwich is also known as a croque monsieur, which loosely translates to 'mister crunch'. This is likely a play on the crispy texture of the sandwich, as it is baked or fried to a crisp. It is a hot sandwich filled with ham, cheese, Dijon mustard, and creamy bechamel sauce. The traditional French bread used for this sandwich is a brioche-type, but any white bread with medium to thick slices will do the trick. For the cheese, a quality Gruyere is the best option, but any good, melty cheese will work.
To make a croque monsieur, start by warming milk in a saucepan over medium-low heat. In a separate pan, melt butter and add flour, stirring to create a paste. Stream in the hot milk, whisking as you go, and add salt and pepper to taste. Keep stirring the bechamel sauce over low heat until it is thick enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon. Toast your bread slices and spread mustard over half of them. Top with slices of cheese and ham, and close the sandwiches. Pan-fry the sandwiches in a skillet with melted butter until they are a deep golden brown. Transfer to a baking tray, top with the remaining bechamel sauce, and sprinkle with Gruyere and parmesan. Bake for 15 minutes, then switch to the grill setting for 3 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and golden. Serve immediately with knives and forks, as it will be too messy to eat with your hands!
For an extra crispy croque monsieur, you can top each sandwich with two more slices of cheese before frying, and press down lightly with a spatula while cooking. This will help achieve that signature crisp texture.
If you're feeling extra indulgent, you can add a fried egg on top of your croque monsieur, and it will then be called a croque-madame. It is also known as Crispy Mister, perhaps a playful take on the direct translation of croque monsieur, with 'crispy' highlighting the sandwich's signature texture.
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Frequently asked questions
A French grilled cheese sandwich is called a Croque Monsieur.
The name Croque Monsieur loosely translates to "mister crunch", likely referring to the crisp nature of the sandwich.
A Croque Monsieur is a hot ham and cheese sandwich, made with Dijon mustard, béchamel sauce, and sometimes Gruyere or Parmesan cheese.
To make a Croque Monsieur, first, assemble the sandwich with ham, cheese, and mustard. Then, pan-fry the sandwich in butter until golden brown. Finally, top with béchamel sauce and more cheese, and bake/broil until golden and bubbling.
